In 2023, a remarkable initiative was born in Coal Valley. The "Kicks For Kids" campaign, founded by a local man, Brent Hamerlinck, has since been making a significant impact on the lives of local foster kids and students. As a child, Hamerlinck was captivated by Michael Jordan's Air Jordans while watching him play for the Chicago Bulls. However, in 2023, he faced a setback when he underwent shoulder surgery and was sidelined from work for several months. During this time, his visits to a local elementary school led him to realize the lack of basic necessities among many children, especially shoes.

How "Kicks For Kids" Came to Be

Pondering on how he could help and make a difference, Hamerlinck came up with the idea of "Kicks For Kids". Along with his wife, he started collecting new and gently used shoes for local children. Each pair was personally cleaned by Hamerlinck to ensure they were in perfect condition for their new owners. Some of the shoes found their way to Closet2Closet, a Rock Island nonprofit that provides free clothing and other essentials to local foster kids and their families. The rest went to local school districts. In 2023 alone, he managed to collect and distribute 150 pairs of shoes, partnering with the East Moline and Silvis districts. This year, he is collaborating with the Rock Island-Milan School District.The growth of the initiative has been astonishing. Hamerlinck is now working to formalize "Kicks For Kids" as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is assembling a board of directors to guide its expansion. He believes that with more people getting involved, the impact will be even greater.

Donation and Volunteer Opportunities

Donating directly to the cause is easy. You can do so through the group's Venmo: @Kicksfor-Kids. For more information, to donate shoes, or to volunteer, you can contact Kicks for Kids at kicksforkids23@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page. There are also several physical locations where you can drop off your new or gently used shoes. These include 309 Customs at 4530 River Dr., Moline; Fehr Orthodontics at 3800 Archer Dr., Ste 200, East Moline; Triple E Sales at 1301 Division St., Orion; The Barber Shop at 302 1st Ave, Colona; Two Men & a Truck at 5000 Tremont Ave, Ste 202, Davenport; The Red Barn at 106 S State St., Geneseo; Douglas Machine at 1506 N High St., Port Byron; Athletico Physical Therapy in Moline, Rock Island, Silvis, Bettendorf and Davenport; and Lola’s Pet Parlor at 802 N Broadway St., Cleveland.This initiative is not only about providing shoes but also about changing lives. Every pair of shoes makes a difference, and with the help of generous people, the "Kicks For Kids" campaign is continuing to grow and make a positive impact on the community.